English Reference

Word

viaduct

US/ˈvaɪədəkt/

UK/vˈaɪədˌʌkt/

Countable noun

Definition

n. a long bridge that carries a road or railway over a valley or other low area. It is usually made of stone or concrete and has many arches.

n. a long bridge consisting of a series of arches, typically supporting a railway or road over a valley or other low ground. Often constructed from stone or concrete in historical contexts.

Examples

“The train travels over a high stone viaduct.”

“The old viaduct was built in the nineteenth century to allow the railway to cross the deep river gorge.”

“Engineers faced significant challenges when restoring the crumbling viaduct, as the original masonry had deteriorated under centuries of exposure to the harsh coastal climate.”

Examples

simple

“The train travels over a high stone viaduct.”

contextual

“The old viaduct was built in the nineteenth century to allow the railway to cross the deep river gorge.”

complex

“Engineers faced significant challenges when restoring the crumbling viaduct, as the original masonry had deteriorated under centuries of exposure to the harsh coastal climate.”

Real-World Examples

“Glenfinnan viaduct doubled as the Hogwarts Express railway bridge in the Harry Potter films.”
The Guardian 30 Sept 2026
“The artist’s tag painted in 10-foot letters on a railway viaduct near Windsor Castle, 2019.”
The Guardian 1 Sept 2026

Etymology

A blend of Latin via (“highway; road”) + English (aque)duct.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

NOUN

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
Frequency
Occasional
Level
C1 · Advanced
Updated

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English Reference